London Entrepreneurs Challenge

21 October 2005

Registration is now open for the London Entrepreneurs Challenge 2005-2006.

Open to UCL staff and students, the challenge is composed of a series of workshops and a business plan competition.

The workshops are designed to introduce participants to fundamental business concepts that will be useful in all business and academic careers. Topics will include how to spot a good idea, intellectual property and finding funding.

The business plan competition will give participants a chance to put into practise what they learn. The competition will be in two parts. In the first term, the aim will be to produce a summary of a business idea and in the second term a business plan will be developed. All entrants will be offered coaching and mentor support in putting their ideas together. A total of £17,000 in cash prizes will be awarded to the best plans.

Mr Tim Barnes (History 1997), Managing Director of Lodestone Innovation Partners Ltd, developed the concept of the London Entrepreneur's Challenge. He said: "Participants do not need a business idea of their own in order to join. Most entries are team-based and there will be a chance to form teams once the competition is under way. Ideas may be technology-based, particularly if you are working on a relevant academic project, or less technology-orientated such as retail outlets or services - they will all be welcome."

Now in it's fourth year, the scheme is led by UCL Business and the Centre for Enterprise and the Management of Innovation, the Centre for Scientific Enterprise Limited, venture capital groups, legal firms and technology companies - representatives of all of these will take part in the workshops and in judging the competition.